Two of the world’s largest solar manufacturers, JinkoSolar and Longi, have reached a comprehensive global settlement that resolves all ongoing patent litigation between the companies and their subsidiaries. The agreement brings an end to lawsuits spanning China, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and establishes a new commercial arrangement that includes cross-licensing of selected core patents.

A Turning Point for Solar Industry IP Battles

In a joint statement, Jinko and Longi said the settlement underscores their shared commitment to protecting intellectual property while fostering greater industry collaboration. Both companies highlighted that they will continue to prioritize research and development, speed up the commercialization of next-generation cell technologies, and explore opportunities for deeper technological cooperation.

This agreement closes a high-profile legal standoff that had reflected broader tensions in the global solar sector—an industry increasingly defined not only by cost competition but by strategic battles over patent ownership and technological leadership.

Over a Year of Global Litigation

The dispute began more than a year ago and centered on two competing high-efficiency solar cell architectures:

• TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact), championed by JinkoSolar
• Back Contact (BC) cell technology, promoted by Longi

The conflict intensified after Jinko purchased 745 solar-related patents from LG Group in 2022. That acquisition expanded Jinko’s IP portfolio in both TOPCon and BC technologies, giving the company more leverage to initiate infringement cases around the world.

Jinko’s Claims

Jinko filed multiple lawsuits, including:

• Cases in China and Japan alleging Longi infringed TOPCon patents
• Legal actions in Europe and Australia aimed at stopping or restricting Longi’s BC module sales

Longi’s Counterclaims

Longi, which holds nearly 200 patents related to BC technology, responded with an aggressive legal strategy:

• Filing infringement claims against Jinko in the United States and China
• Seeking to invalidate Jinko’s patents in Europe and the U.S.
• Accelerating commercialization of its BC product line, particularly in Europe, where BC modules gained significant market traction

Technology, Strategy, and Market Stakes

At its core, the battle was about far more than technical definitions of patent boundaries. It reflected a strategic race for dominance in high-efficiency cell technologies, which are central to the next stage of global solar deployment. Longi and Jinko—representing two divergent technological roadmaps—were effectively fighting for leadership in the premium, high-efficiency module space.

TOPCon and BC technologies have become central pillars of the industry’s transition beyond PERC as manufacturers chase higher efficiencies and better energy yields. The legal confrontation highlighted how critical these advancements have become, with IP portfolios increasingly weaponized to protect market share.

Cross-Licensing Signals a New Era of Pragmatism

The newly announced settlement includes a patent cross-licensing arrangement, which removes immediate legal hazards for both companies and reduces the risk of future injunctions or market disruptions. More broadly, the agreement reflects a growing recognition that the solar industry—moving at unprecedented speed—may benefit from cooperation rather than costly, prolonged litigation.

Market analysts say this settlement could mark a turning point, setting a precedent for balancing rigorous IP protection with practical collaboration in order to accelerate technology adoption across global markets.

Possibilities for Future Collaboration

In their joint announcement, JinkoSolar and Longi added that they will “explore opportunities for deeper cooperation,” leaving open the potential for joint development or coordinated commercialization of upcoming solar cell platforms.

The truce not only closes one of the industry’s most prominent legal battles but also opens the door for two of the sector’s most influential companies to work together as the market transitions into the era of ultra-high-efficiency solar technologies.